Pool Your Resources: Cannonball Season Is Here

Dallas has opinions about pools, whether you fancy an East-side dip at the F.O.E. or have already reserved your summer cabana at Revive. Tips to get past doormen, knowing Power Property codes and finding the side entrances for high-rise elevators are all components in the conversational arsenal to defend your favorite rooftop pond. Forgive us, transplants, we know it's not an ocean, like the Greek baths that came before them, they are central to the Dallas social climate. Especially as that climate nears the 100 degree Fahrenheit mark.

Arguably the best of its specimen in this town, the Joule Poule, located on the 10th floor of the equally impressive Joule Hotel, kicked off the official summer season with its White Party last Friday night. Those antiquated Greek baths, in their time, were the social center of world's economic, romantic and fraternal orders. The Joule Poule seemed to have that tradition in mind, as their tight guest list boasted a rather stunning crowd of hospitality magnates, fashion types and Dallas power gays of the DIFFA persuasion. DJs Redsean and Parker Lawson underscored the evening as folks posed and mingled around the beautiful rooftop pool jutting out over Main Street.

As dusk turned to night, and the surrounding skyscrapers reached their full glow, the crowd, tipsy on Belvedere cocktails and Champagne, relaxed and savored that 10th floor breeze on the deck's cabanas. Evenings like this at the Joule are always a rather sumptuous affair. Your drink rarely goes empty, the beautiful crowd somehow makes you feel more attractive instead of insecure, and the small talk, thanks in part to the endless Belvedere, is somehow elevated.

Still, this was just a kick-off party for a pool -- ahem -- poule. I didn't need a suit yet, just a white dress, since we were mostly standing around worshiping the pool, toasting its inevitable influence over our summer.

The unofficial kick-off party for Dallas' other cherished pools took form in conversation all weekend. First, in an agreement to make a long country drive to sit idly by a shaded one, followed by an impromptu Sunday brunch decision to at least dip our toes in a mid-century kidney bean of a thing.

The Greek baths were extremely varied. Some were designed for families, some were the mainstay of political heads of state, others the aquatic sanctuary of philosophers, artists and the occasional courtesan. So, Dallas, don't feel bad for taking your pools so seriously. There is a storied history related to these man-made altars of skin, frivolity and hydration. Find your place in it, even if you just end up next to some bro.